Kaz'jany (206)
Belarus, Europe

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2000

National site name: Kaz'jany

Central coordinates: Latitude: 55.4667, Longitude: 29.3667

System: freshwater, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 139 to 169

Area of KBA (km²): 266.73476

Protected area coverage (%): 98.04

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The site is a complex mix of bogs, forests, floodplain meadows, lakes and agricultural land. The site is characterized by high diversity and contrasting ecological conditions, as well as the presence of unique nature complexes: large tracts of bogs and transition mires, open fens, lakes, sandy dunes, almost natural forests and fragmentary oak stands.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)

Additional biodiversity: A total of 175 breeding species of birds have been recorded. The site hosts 44 bird species listed in the National Red Data Book. Non-bird biodiversity: The category of rare and disappearing plants listed in the National Red Data Book comprises 21 species. Many rare moss species can also be found. The fauna diversity is defined by the variety of habitats. The following Red Data Book mammal species have stable populations: Badger Meles meles (10 settlements), Lynx Felis linx (5-8) and Brown Bear Ursus arctos (3-5).

Habitats

Summary of habitats in KBA: Transition sedge-Sphagnum mires occupy most of the area. There are also numerous lakes and rivers. Almost all the lakes are dystrophic and shallow, with low waterlogged shores overgrown by vegetation. Agricultural land occupies 3% of the site's area. These are arable fields, hay-making tracts and pastures. Forestry is limited because much of the site is difficult to access due to waterlogging. Local people have traditionally used the site to collect berries and mushrooms.

Land use: forestry (70%) | hunting (30%)

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Wetlands(Inland)	27
Forest	69
Artificial - Terrestrial	3

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Drainage of adjacent areas and canalization of smaller rivers - about 60% of the site's small river channels have been canalized - have disturbed the site's hydrological regime. Local peat extraction for agriculture in the southern part of the Obol-2 peat extraction ground. Burning of vegetation damages vegetation and animals, especially in dry springs. Felling of radical forests, spruce and alder stands, leads to drastic declines in the biodiversity.Commercial fishing, carried out by the Vitebsk Fishfarm at one of the most beautiful Belarusian lakes, Lake Moshno, may reduce fish resources. Vegetation succession. Open mires tend to get overgrown with shrubs, which in most cases is attributed to the cessation of hay-cutting.

Additional information